Articles about the Regency era
Halloween may be over, but as we get into early November there are a few more British traditions that were likely familiar to anyone living in Regency England. The most obvious one is Guy Fawkes Day. November 5, 1605, is the date that the infamous Gunpowder Plot was foiled, preventing Guy Fawkes and his…
What is it about ghosts and theaters? There seems to be something about the excitement and intense emotions exhibited during a performance that encourages spirits to hang around, like afterlife groupies hoping to get invited backstage. In my last post I talked about the ghosts who haunt the Theatre Royal Bath. However, ghostly apparitions…
With Halloween approaching, I thought it would be fun to talk about ghosts. And not just any ghosts, but the ghosts that haunt Britain’s historic theaters. These old theaters are rife with ghosts and psychic phenomena. Curiously, a lot of those ghosts are known individually as the Grey Lady, though they each have a different…
But much mocked And even opposed by the respectable and upright
Step aside, Hammersmith Ghost. There were other specters who spooked Regency imaginations and inspired the popular press. Here are a few noteworthy examples: Queen Elizabeth I Here’s a phantom that must have haunted Napoleon’s nightmares in the early years of the 19th century while he was planning to invade England. In this 1803 print published…
Will you be dressing up this Halloween? If you love the simple elegance of a white ghost costume, you may want to hear about a Regency “ghost” who met an untimely and undeserved end. In late 1803 the residents of Hammersmith (which is now a part of Greater London but was then a small village…
On the 1st of each month, Regency Fiction Writers publishes our FREE online newsletter, The Regency Reader, to anyone interested in Regency Fiction (1780-1840). The publication features author interviews, tidbits about the Regency era, and a listing of new titles from members and non-members. Members’ releases also appear here on the blog. Submit your September…
Michaelmas Day, celebrated next day on September 29, is a day rich in religious and secular traditions in British culture. It’s also called the Feast of Michael and All Angels, including the angels Gabriel and Raphael.
Mark your calendar! Our September Monthly Tea is this Friday, September 22, at 2pm ET (5 pm PT). Whether you write romance, mystery, fantasy, or some other subgenre of historical fiction, knowing when to stop researching and start writing is crucial to getting your novel on the page. In this talk, author and translator…
The host must be delighted by the turnout! I won’t be able to forget this when describing a crowded ball or reception! The clothing is particularly interesting. Compare the lady on the right in white (a demure debutante?) and the one on the left with the train (rather less respectable, I think). The description in…